Game appliance and method of making



y 1939. vF. o. GERMAN El AL 2,166,950

I GAME APPLIANCE AND METHOD OF MAKING Filed Sept. 15, 19:57 4 sheets-seet 1 Filed Sept. 15; 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Frank 0. G'erm EQIZe 1 July25, 1939'. F. o. GERMAN ET AL GAME APPLIANCE AND METHOD OF MAKING Filedsept. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July. 25, 1939. \F. o. GERMAN El AL ZJ LGAME APPIJIANCE AND METHOD OF MAKING Filed Sept. '15, 1957 4sheets-sheet 4 m ma ul 25, 1939 GAME APPLIANCE AND mnon or name I VFrankQGcrmanandEafle WJlarfley.

' Waterbury, Conn.

Application September 15, 1937, Serial No. 164,044

I 3 Claims. (01- 273-42) This invention relates to' an improved bowlingpin construction and to an improved method of making and the compositionof such pins or the like.

One object of this. invention is to provide an improved bowling pinconstruction. Another ob- Ject is to provide a bowling pin which has theI 18 Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an improvedbowling pin construction fabricated entirely of plastic material such assynthetic resins and thermo-plastic resins. Another object is to providea bowling pin construction entirely 2'0 fabricated of cellulose acetatematerial. A further object is to provide a bowling pin fabricated fromtwo or more similarly shaped sections of cellulose acetate. Yet anotherobject is to fabricate a pin having elemental segments of cellulose 25acetate united into a unitary structure by being cemented along abuttingsurfaces by cellulose acetate. Yet a further object is to arrange theabutting surfaces in such a manner that an extended area of contact isprovided.

so Still further objects of this invention are: to

provide an improved game appliance having a.

central core of wood; to provide a bowling pin with means for centeringit in position for playing; to provide a bowling pin having a woodencore and 35 a covering of cellulose acetate; to provide a bowling pinconstruction having a central core and an outer surface of spirallywound strip material; to provide a bowling pin with a central core andan outer surface formed by a spirally wound strip 40 of celluloseacetate material; to provide a bowling pin having a non-metallicbase'portion arranged to withstand .wear; to provide a bowling pinformed with a laminated core and an injection molded non-metallic outersurface; and the for- 45 mation of a bowling pin or game appliance froma core of compressed material with a molded outer surface.

Other objects and advantages of the invention "will be ascertained fromthe following description 50 when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation partly broken awayshowing a composite pin incorporating features of this invention. Fig. 2is 55 a vertical elevation partly in section showing the core taken atright angles to the view of the core in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a verticalelevation partly in section of a metallic core incorporating certainfeatures of this invention. Fig. 4 is a transverse cross section of acore taken substantially on the 5 line H inFig. 2. Fig. 5 is atransverse cross section showing a modified detail construction taken ona line corresponding to the line 55 in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a verticalelevation partly in section of a further variation in core construction.Fig. 7 is a vertical elevation partly in section illustrating furtherfeatures of this invention. 1 Yet further, Fig. 81s a vertical crosssection of a pin incorporating features of thisinvention and entirelyfabricated of cellulose acetate material. 16 Fig. 9 is a detail viewshowing one method of increasing the abutting surface areas. Fig. 9Acorresponds to a section on the line 9A-9A in Fig. 8 showing the jointin the assembled structure. Fig. 10 shows another type of joint. Fig. 11is a transverse cross section through a pin having another variation indetails and corresponding to a section taken on the line Iili in Fig. 8.Fig. 12 is a transverse cross section through a further variation in thepin construction corresponding to a section of the said pin taken alonga line I I--i i asin Fig. 8. 1

Still further, Fig. 13 is a vertical elevation partly broken awayshowing a solid core memberand a molded outer body portion thereon. Fig.14 is a vertical elevation of a bowling pin formed with a central coreand the outer body portion fabricated from a spirally wound strip ofcellulose acetate. Fig. 15 shows the solid core with a wear plate on thebottom. Fig. 16 shows a bowling pin construction using a solid coreformed of laminated material with an outer non-metallic coveringportion.

Considering the drawings in greater detail, Fig. l-illustrates acomposite bowling pin comprising a core 20 compressed within an outermolded covering 2|. The metallic core 20 is composed of complementaryhollow metal members 22 and 23 fastened together along a medial plane 24by butt welding or in some other appropriate manner. The surface of thishollow steel core is knurled or roughened, as shown in spots at 25, 26,21, 28, 29, and 30. The knurling is for the purpose of 1 assisting themolded covering 2i in adhering to the outer surface of the inner core.

The metal core 20 is shown in Fig. 2 partly in section along the planeof joinder 24 in Fig 1. 5 In this figure core 20 is provided with upperand lower axial openings 3| and 32 respectively. These openingscooperate with pins serving to hold the metal core centrally in a moldso that a uniform body of molded material will be formed about the core.The molded material may be formed about'the core by either compressionor injection methods of molding. According to the ing ii in the top ofthe pin isplugged up as at 33 in Fig. 7. The opening in the bottom ofthe pin indicated at It.

is allowed to remain, to serve in setting up bowling pins on thelocating pins used in some bowling alleys. After the bowling pins havebeen centered, the locating pins are allowed to drop leaving the bowlingpins remaining in position for the game. The bottom opening 3' maybeespecially formed and may be counter-sunk as atin Fig. 7, The thicknessof the molded material at the bottom 31 of the pin is considerablyincreased so as to provide for the wear which takesplace at this portionof the bowling pin when the pins are in Remaining portions of the pinare covered by a relatively uniform depth of material as Although ballsused in bowling have not been shown, it is equally contemplated to applythe features of thisinvention to the balls as well as to the pins.Infact, features of this invention are equally applicable to'the varioustypes of bowling pins such as duck pins. ten pins, candle pins, andrubber necks. 1

By this invention the plastic material utilized to form the molded body2| of the composite pins contemplates, for example, among others the useof such materials as disclosed in the Patent 2,048,686 to Fred R.Conklin, for either the compression or injection molding processes.Other plastic materials composed of cellulose acetates are alsocontemplated.

By the injection molding process the hot fluid mass of the resin orplastic material is forced into the mold about the core and the mass ischilled aswell as compressed to form the molded layer of material.

In Fig. 3 the core is shown formed with two or more grooves 39 and Iwhich may be spun or stamped into the core to provide greater grippingof the covering material into the core at the point of impact of theball and also for the purpose of structurally arranging the parts for abetter distribution of impact loads. It may be desired to continue thesegrooves in the form of a series of corrugations extending from about thepoint I to about the point 42. It will of course be understood that theouter surface of the pin with its covering will be smooth as in 4 Fig. 7when the pin is completed. The covering will fill upthe grooves 39 and40.

Fig. 4 shows one method of securing the complementary portions of thecore together. In this instance, the parts have been butt welded withthe weld material at the joints being indicated 'at the points 43 and44. Other methods of securing these parts together may be utilized. Forexample, flash welding may be also under appropriate conditions. In Fig.5 parts of the core 22' and 23 are fastened together by means ofoverlapping portions 45 and I6, and 41 and 48. At these'points theoverlapping parts may be united for brazing, soldering or welding at 49and 50.

In Fig. 6 the core is constructed of upper and lower sections ii and 52telescoping together and having considerable overlap in the region -83to form a band having a double thickness of metal extending around thepin. For further support the bottom edge 54 of the upper part of the pinis flanged inwardly as at 55. A thin steel plate 56 may be secured tothis flange to further structurally strengthen the end, and thin steelcups 5! and 58 may be secured at the points of greatest strain at theneck 59 and belly 60 of the pin.

The foregoing structural features may be va- ,ried somewhat toaccomplish slightly different structural combinations. In Fig. 7 theupper part 6i telescopes. within the lower part 62 and;

bead which is more readily observed on the outer side of the pin as at66 serves as a means of further, securement between the molded coveringand the metal core. The bottom of the metal core 61 is provided with acentral opening 88 and the head of the pinhas a central opening 69 eachof which are free of the indented flanges illustrated at III in Figs. 2,3 and '6.

Considering further figures of the drawings in greater detail, the pinentirely of cellulose acetate as illustrated in Fig. 8 may partake ofvarious structural variations. In Fig. 8 a pin is illustrated as beingfabricated from four similarly shaped sectors and-having a transverserib and a vertical rib. The transverse section of such a pin is shown inFig. 11 and comprises the similarly shaped sector parts 80, ll, 82 and83. Each of said parts has a vertically and radially inwardly extendingrib section as 84, I5, 86 and 81 respectively, the outer wall of thevertical rib in each instance having a groove 08. Each of the peripheralparts has a complementary tongue or flange portion 69 an'anged to seatin the groove. Each of these parts is fabricated substantially entirelyof cellulose acetate plastic material and the abutting surfaces as, at"and SI are treated with a cementing mixture comprising a liquidsolution of cellulose acetate and ing exposed to the air, readilyevaporates and the resulting structure forms a continuous wall ofcellulose acetate having a thickness of sealing material as at 92 inFig. 9A. Horizontally ex-' tending ribs are similarly provided, suchportions being visible at 93 and 9| in Fig. 8. The sealed joint similarto that at 92 will also occur at the central part of the end along thesurfaces of joinder at 95.

It is equally feasible to prepare the pin, as just described by merelyusing two complementary members instead of using four parts so that theright hand half of the pin 98 and the left hand 'half 91 go together andform a single vertical rib and a single horizontal rib. In such aconstruction the central rib would not be shown in two parts as in Fig.8 but would be shown as a single thickness of material.

When the various parts are secured together in the molding operation thebody of the material and the Joints become a continuous and homogeneouswall of celluloseacetate, the walls being bottom of the pin ashereinbefore described. The transverse section of the pin as justdescribed is not illustrated in the'drawings but its construction willbe readily understood. .The vertical section shownin Fig. 8 correspondsto the pin as shown in Fig. 11.

In Fig. the abutting surfaces are provided with the irregularlycontoured tongue and groove portions 09 and I02, and I00 and IN. In thisarrangement the corresponding portions of the segments themselves areindicated at 0|, 02' and 86' corresponding to the previous descriptionof Fig. 11.

In Fig. 12 transverse cross section of a pin of slightly differentarrangement is shown, vertical cross section not having beenillustrated. In this instance, the pin is composed of six equal partsass, I00, I05, I06,- I0'I, and I08 arranged with peripheral portions I09and radially extending portion IIO. Each radial surface of theperipheral portion as at III, and H2 is provided with the enlargedcontact surfaceand the inner radial limits of the walls at B arearranged to provide a hexagonal opening H3 running centrally throughoutthe pin. In this instance, the parts are cemented together as previouslydescribed and the central space II3 can be filled or left open dependingupon the design. It is preferable however to fill this opening with ahexagonal rod of suitable material preferably corresponding to thematerial of which the remaining portions of the pin are made. A metalrod may be used under proper circumstances. The vertical cross sectionof this pin is not shown.

Each pin, as described in connection with Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, ispreferably prepared by compression molding. However, this is to be takenas the preferred manner of construction and is not to be construed as alimiting restriction.

In the further figures of the drawings, Fig. 13

shows a, bowling pin made with a core I and a molded surface layer I2I.The core may be of solid or hollow construction and may preferably be asolid core of wood. In such a case, a cheap light wood is satisfactory,it being understood that selected wood free of knots is not contemplatedas being necessary. The head I22 of the core contains a hole I23 and thebottom I20 of the core contains a hole I25. These upper and lower holesI23 and I25 respectively are used for centering the core in the mold. Incompleting the ten pin thecore is centered in the mold by the pins ofthe mold extending into these openings and the ten pin is completed bythe injection molding process. After the pin has been withdrawn from themold the top hole will be closed by a plug of the same material of whichthe outer surface is made and will preferably be made of a compositionof cellulose acetate. The bottom hole will be left open for use insetting up the pins in a bowling alley.

In Fig. 14 the bowling pin has been made by utilizing a core of suitablematerial and by spirally winding a strip of cellulose acetate about thecore. In this figure, which is an elevation, the spiral strip isindicated at I26 as being wound about the core and providing a smoothouter contour. In this instance, the core may preferably have a smoothouter surface which may be obtained in various materials such as kilndried wood, a die casting of cheap light metal, or a composite core oftwo halves stamped from steel which is joined by welding at the edgesand having the edges of the joint ground smooth.

The strip of cellulose acetate may have an appropriate thickness ofabout one-sixteenth of an inch, and an appropriate width of aboutthreefourths of an inch. The strip is moistened in a volatile liquidsolution of cellulose acetate which renders the strip soft and pliable.While in this condition it is wrapped spirally around the core with theedges of each succeeding tum tightly abutting the adjacent edges of thenext convolution. The abutting joints flow together as the volatilematter evaporates and the covering shrinks on and becomes one continuouscoat. The whole outer surface may thereafter be machined to a smoothfinish, to erase any possible roughness that might occur at the spiraljoints, or at the closure at the top of the pin.

Fig. 15 is a cross section of a core I21 for the spiral wound type ofcovering and shows a bottom plate I28 of molded cellulose acetate ofsuitable thickness to withstand the 'wear at this point caused by thelocating pins used in bowling alleys. It will be understood that thespiral strip is wound-so as to completely cover the joint I28 betweenthe body plate and the body of the core thereby providing a continuoussmooth coating of the entire outer surface of the pin.

It is often desirable to form the core of the pin from a laminatedstructure, and in such a case, the construction illustrated in Fig. 16will result. In this instance, the. core I30 may be made ofseveral-layers I3I, I32, etc., of ply wood laid cross grained and gluedalong the adjacent surfaces I33 and pressed together into an appropriateblock. The block is then machined to proper size and shape. It ispreferable to mold the outer surface upon this pin by injection moldingand the openings I34 and I35 are provided for the centering pins in themold.

After the outer layer I36 has been applied by the injection moldingprocess, the upper opening I34 is closed by means of a cellulose blockor plug I31 cemented therein. The bottom hole is left open as previouslyexplained.

In this connection, it is equally contemplated as within the scope ofthis invention to form the laminated construction from sheets ofcellulose acetate material, cemented together by a solution asdescribed, or combinations of the cellulose and ply wood. Thelaminations prefer- .ably extend in the vertical direction throughoutthe core. In some instances the outer covering may be provided by thespirally molded strip as heretofore described instead of by theinjection molding process.

In connection with Fig. 13 the outer surface of the core I20 may bepreferably roughened as at I38 so that the molded covering will adheretenaciously to the core, both by the adhesive action of the materialitself and the additional gripping provided by the roughened surface.

It is also contemplated that the core of Fig. 13 may be formed fromcompressed sawdust or wood fiber using an appropriate binding, forexample, glue. Other plastic materials and binders may includepolystyrene resin, acrylic resin, clycerylphthalic anhydryde, otherresins, and synthetic resins. Rubber compositions may occasionally beused as well as phenal formaldehydes.

Where rubber compositions are used the rubber may have propertiesextending over a very wide range from relatively soft to relativelybrittle rubber. The rubber may also comprise a composite mass which ineffect combines portions of rubber having one set of characters andother portions with a different set.

of the relatively thin dimensions of the metallic These materials may besatisfactorily bonded to the metal core for example, by first sandblasting or pickling the core to clean the outer surface thereof andthen brass plating it. After the core has been brass plated, a thinmedium soft coat of rubber may be first applied and then over it a coatof harder stock rubber giving the necessary dimensions. The assembly isplaced in a mold and both hydrostatic pressure and heat are applied.After an appropriate interval of time the rubber will be vulcanized andthe finished article may then be removed from the mold. In view cores,it will be preferable in this molding process, which may use ahydrostatic pressure of the order of about a thousand pounds per squareinch applied externally to the rubber, to apply a pressure internally ofthe core to prevent it from collapsing. This may be accomplished byapplying pressure to the inner surface of the core by either water orsand.

It will be readily appreciated that the pins may be made wholly or inpart from the plastic materials as heretofore explained, and thematerials may be flowed as in the injection process, or compressed as inthe compression process, or otherwise applied.

The parts of the metallic cores may-be secured together by resistancewelding. By butt welding and flash welding. Brazing and soldering canalso be utilized to advantage depending on the metals used. Arc weldingcan also be adapted to the needs of this work by'using either theelectric are or the gaseous arc.

' Although the features of this invention and the process of applyingthem to actual structures have been set forth inregard to preferred embodiments, variations within the true spirit and scope of the same willbe determined by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A bowling pin comprising a multi-part outer shell having theconfiguration of a bowling pin, radially disposed longitudinal ribscarried by each part, each of said longitudinal ribs having a reducedinner portion and a'transverse rib intersecting said longitudinal ribsat a point intermediate the ends of said latter ribs, said longitudinaland transverse ribs having a composition-- similar to the composition ofsaid outer shell, and

the longitudinal iii) of one part overlapping a shell, one edge of eachsector having a longitudinally disposed groove, and a bead carried bythe other "edge of each sector engageable in a groove of an adjacentsector.

FRANK 0. GERMAN.

, EARLE W. HARTLEY.

